Pages

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Things to do if you're tired of the Mall!

When I moved here, I was so excited to be heading somewhere with decent shopping! But shopping at the malls got old, fast. I was over it after 2 months of being here. But for a while, that was all we did. On any given weekend you would know where to find us- it would be at a mall, either here or in Dubai, wandering around with glazed over eyes.

When we started vlogging, we knew we'd have to do something different each weekend- and we've really tried to since!

We made it a point to try and explore our surroundings, and have been pleasantly surprised by what's on offer. I

Here are a few ideas for you guys!

1. Explore the other Emirates! There's more to the United Arab Emirates than just Abu Dhabi and Dubai. We love Fujairah. It's only a few hours drive from Abu Dhabi, you're surrounded by the mountains and the sea and it's just a beautiful place to be. We've been there a couple of times, you can check out our vlog of our stay here and here.

2) Head to Wadi Adventure in Al Ain and do some kayaking/white water rafting/surfing. It was absolutely, hands down THE most fun that we've had here (even though a couple members of their staff were rude).

3) Go kayaking and explore the mangroves here in Abu Dhabi. This is still on our list of things to do, but we've heard great things about it!

4) Go on a desert safari. Dune bashing is definitely not for the faint of heart- but it most definitely is a different experience! You also get to ride a camel, have a meal in the desert, get henna done, and watch a belly-dancing show as well.

5) Head over to Heritage Village and get to know more about UAE traditions. It was a nice place to spend a couple of hours- you can check out our vlog of it here.

6) Check out Global Village. Open during the cooler months of the year, this is a great place for the family to head to for some affordable entertainment. With pavilions from all over the world, you get a chance to taste different food and buy different products. There are performances and a fairground as well! Watch our vlog of Global Village here.

7) Head to the Zoo! You can check out the one in Al Ain or Emirates Park Zoo which is closer to home if you're based in Abu Dhabi. We've vlogged our day at the Emirates Park Zoo here.

8) Do everything on Yas Island. Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld are both located here, which could each easily provide you with a day's worth of entertainment. Also located on Yas Island is the Yas Marina Circuit where you can do all kinds of high octane activities like go karting and drag racing. Sign up for one of their driving experiences and get to drive your dream car! TrainYas is also something to look into if you're into fitness. Attend the concerts at the Du forum here after the Formula 1 races!

9) Check out Masdar City. Featured in television programs repeatedly, visit this sustainable city and ride in a driverless car. While we don't think you could spend your day here, it's worth a visit. Perhaps wait for

10) Take a tour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Absolutely stunning architecture, Definitely a must see- but be sure to dress modestly.

(Photo by Sally. All rights reserved)

11) Get active at Zayed Sports City. This is an awesome place to spend a few hours bowling, playing table tennis, billiards, or even going ice skating. It's family friendly, and definitely a great place to head to when it's just too hot outside.